Elegy for a Lost Star

I don't have a pleasant review for this one. There's a reason that I never finished it the first time I tried reading it, way way back in 2008, besides the fact that I knew book 7 didn't have a release date (and wouldn't until 2014).

I know part of my displeasure with this book was the audiobook narrator, who just really needs to calm down and stop putting too much emphasis on all of his words. It creates this weird feeling of anticipation or building up without conclusion, like a series of independent sentences (for example: "It creates this. Weird feeling. Of anticipation or. Building up. Without conclusion.). If that makes sense. It probably doesn't.

I'm also beginning to lose patience with some of Haydon's obsessive descriptions and show more repetitiveness. This is the fifth book in the series, you don't need to describe a character's physical attributes every single time he pops up. Maybe the first time, but not over and over. This was especially annoying with Feron, the fish boy/monster with lips that were fused in the front and open in the side over soft yellow teeth. I get it. I GET IT! Please stop.

This book needed more Achmed, less Ash, less repetitive descriptions, less whining, and less talking about how beautiful Rhapsody is.

Giving it 3 stars only because of Achmed and Gruntor. show less

4.5 The thing that bugged me was how many sub-plots there were. It was hard to keep track of and some of the plots had nothing to do with the main plot. I'm sure they will come into play in The Assassin King, but it left a lot of name bobbling around in my head after their story was dropped. Some reappeared neared the end and I almost forgot who they were and why they were important.

Now onto the many strong points of this novel. It's consistent with the rest of the series in lore and world building and character development. It was amazing. It is so vivid and real. I always want more from the world, yet I still feel satisfied when I finish a book. The leads are still strong and diverse and make the book better. Other than the amount of show more sub-plot, whether relevant or seemingly irrelevant, it was flawless. show less

Continuing my Symphony of Ages re-read and this is...such a middle book. Spends too much time on characters that I don't care about (Anwyn, Faron), but we do get Meridion's birth at last!

I really like Haydon's prose, but sometimes get annoyed with the angst, insecurity, and whining of many of the characters. That being set I have stuck with the series for two or three characters that I love and cannot wait to read about. However, Elegy For A Lost Star reminded me of why I liked the original book in this series. I'm sure Haydon has some more great story in her and maybe one day they'll actually save the world.

The way Elizabeth Haydon puts twists in the plot and ends the book with enough untied ends so you HAVE to get the next book is breathtaking! She's not just a writer, she's an artist!